Multi-Positionable Face Shield

ABSTRACT

A multi-positionable face shield has a shield portion with two parallel adjustment channels on each side. A pair of adjustment stiffeners slidably move within the adjustment channels to provide lateral adjustment. Each adjustment stiffener has an adjustment segment rotatably attached to the adjustment stiffener which is capable of rotating 360 degrees. Also an ear portion is rotatably attached to each adjustment segment and can also rotate 360 degrees. In use, the user can rotate the segments and ear portions as well as sliding stiffeners in and out to provide a good fit. Ear portions may be rotated 180 degrees to allow the shield to be used to protect the face or in the opposite direction, clothing. The shield is placed over the forehead to protect the face and inverted and placed over the neck portion to protect the clothing.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority and herein incorporates by reference U.S. provisional patent application 61/087,253, filed Aug. 8, 2008.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

We know that people in Egypt over 5000 years ago wore their hair in particular hair styles and applied makeup to adorn themselves. Often their hair and makeup displayed their rank and included wigs. Hair styles were also important in early Greece and Rome, and these early Grecians even dyed their hair and sprinkled it with gold powder. In fact most cultures had very specific ways of wearing and preparing their hair and applying makeup.

Today, makeup and hair is just as important as it ever was even though it may not be used to show social status, it is still used to present “ourselves” to the world. Many people go to professional salons to get their hair styled or makeup applied. Of course many apply their own makeup and some even style their own hair. It is difficult to keep makeup off clothing when applying and to keep hair care products such as shampoo or conditioner out of a user's face when using those products. There is a need for a face shield that may be used to protect clothing while applying makeup and also be used to protect the face when using hair care products.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A multi-positionable face shield has a shield portion with two parallel adjustment channels on each side. A pair of adjustment stiffeners slidably move within the adjustment channels to provide lateral adjustment. Each adjustment stiffener has an adjustment segment rotatably attached to the adjustment stiffener which is capable of rotating 360 degrees. Also an ear portion is rotatably attached to each adjustment segment and can also rotate 360 degrees. In use, the user can rotate the segments and ear portions as well as sliding stiffeners in and out to provide a good fit. Ear portions may be rotated 180 degrees to allow the shield to be used to protect the face or in the opposite direction, clothing. The shield is placed over the forehead to protect the face and inverted and placed over the neck portion to protect the clothing.

Other features and advantages of the instant invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention which refers to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of a multi-positionable face shield according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an end view of the multi-positionable face shield shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the multi-positionable face shield shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an end view of the multi-positionable face shield shown in FIG. 1 in a selectable position.

FIG. 5 is an end view of the multi-positionable face shield shown in FIG. 1 in another selectable position.

FIG. 6 is an end view of the multi-positionable face shield shown in FIG. 1 in yet another selectable position.

FIG. 7 is front view of the multi-positionable face shield shown configured to shield a user's clothing.

FIG. 8 is front view of the multi-positionable face shield shown configured to shield a user's face.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description of the invention, reference is made to the drawings in which reference numerals refer to like elements, and which are intended to show by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a multi-positionable face shield 100 is shown having a shield portion 120 with two parallel adjustment channels 140 disposed on the edge therein. A pair of stiffeners 130 slidably fit within adjustment channels 140. Each stiffener 130 has a rotatable segment 115 rotatably attached between a rotatable ear portion 110. Both the rotatable segment 115 and the rotatable ear portion 110 may rotate completely around 360 degrees to allow for maximum adjustment.

A head fitting portion 125 is cut to allow a user 135 (FIGS. 7 and 8) to fit shield portion 120 against the user's 135 forehead or chin depending on the selected position.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 8, the multi-positionable face shield 100 is shown in different configurable positions. In FIG. 3, a non-extended non-rotated position is shown with stiffener 130 pushed completely in and rotatable segment 115 and era portion 110 in a non-rotated position. This position may be used when the forehead of a user 135 is to be protected. FIG. 4 shows rotatable ear portion 110 rotated 180 degrees and FIG. 5 shows rotatable segment 115 as well as rotatable ear portion 110 rotated 180 degrees. This configuration allows the clothing of user 135 to be protected. FIG. 6 shows stiffener 130 extended by sliding in adjustment channel 140. Stiffener 130 frictionally fits within adjustment channel 140 to securely hold it therein.

FIG. 7 shows the multi-positionable face shield in a clothing protecting configuration. User 135 places shield portion 120 to cover the neck portion. In this configuration, the clothing is protected from makeup. User 135 adjusts rotatable ear portion 110, rotatable segment 115 and stiffener 130 to comfortably wear the shield.

FIG. 8 shows the multi-positionable face shield in a face protecting configuration. User 135 places shield portion 120 to cover the forehead portion. In this configuration, the clothing is protected from makeup. User 135 adjusts rotatable ear portion 110, rotatable segment 115 and stiffener 130 to comfortably wear the shield as discussed above.

Multi-positionable face shield 100 is used while applying make-up, applying chemicals to hair or other hair treatments, drying hair with a blow dryer. Of course other uses are within the scope of this invention such as for use in dental offices and other health professionals, mechanical repair shops and other types of uses where the user needs to protect their face and clothes.

In the embodiments shown, multi-positionable face shield 100 is made of clear plastic to allow light to pass through, but other colors or materials may be used such as tinted plastic, chemically resistant plastics or other suitable materials chosen to fit specific needs as is known in the art.

Although the instant invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art. 

1. A multi-positionable face shield comprises: a shield portion; a first adjustable stiffener portion disposed along a first side edge of said shield portion; a second adjustable stiffener portion disposed along a second side edge of said shield portion; said first and second edge being generally parallel to each other; a first adjustable segment rotatably disposed on said first adjustable stiffener portion wherein said first adjustable segment is rotatably positionable to a selected position; a second adjustable segment rotatably disposed on said second adjustable stiffener portion wherein said second adjustable segment is rotatably positionable to a selected position; a first ear portion rotatably disposed on said first adjustable segment wherein said first ear portion is rotatably positionable to a selected position; and a second ear portion rotatably disposed on said second adjustable segment wherein said second ear portion is rotatably positionable to a selected position.
 2. The multi-positionable face shield according to claim 1 further comprising: a first adjustment channel disposed along a first edge of said shield portion wherein said first adjustable stiffener portion is slidably disposed therein; and a second adjustment channel disposed along a second edge of said shield portion wherein said second adjustable stiffener portion is slidably disposed therein.
 3. The multi-positionable face shield according to claim 1 wherein said first and second adjustable portions are 360 degrees rotatable respectively.
 4. The multi-positionable face shield according to claim 1 wherein said first and second ear portions are 360 degrees rotatable respectively.
 5. A method of using a multi-positionable face shield comprising the steps: obtaining a multi-positionable face shield comprising; a shield portion; a first adjustable stiffener portion disposed along a first side edge of said shield portion; a second adjustable stiffener portion disposed along a second side edge of said shield portion; said first and second edge being generally parallel to each other; a first adjustable segment rotatably disposed on said first adjustable stiffener portion wherein said first adjustable segment is rotatably positionable to a selected position; a second adjustable segment rotatably disposed on said second adjustable stiffener portion wherein said second adjustable segment is rotatably positionable to a selected position; a first ear portion rotatably disposed on said first adjustable segment wherein said first ear portion is rotatably positionable to a selected position; and a second ear portion rotatably disposed on said second adjustable segment wherein said second ear portion is rotatably positionable to a selected position; adjusting said multi-positionable face shield to protect a selected portion of a user; and wearing said multi-positionable face shield by engaging said first and second ear portions with a user's ears. The method of using a multi-positionable face shield according to claim 5 wherein said selected portion is a face of said user. The method of using a multi-positionable face shield according to claim 5 wherein said selected portion is a clothing portion of said user. 